My first tattoo at age 50 and I LOVE it. I researched artists and selected Daniel based on friend recommendations. The experience to make the appointment was wonderful. The parlor was clear, airy, and pleasant. The interaction and communication with Daniel was easy and clear. Above all else Daniel listened to what I wanted and adjusted the design on my input and created a piece of art that I absolutely love! Highly recommend. read more

Daniel Dagones - Tattoo Near Me

Daniel did an awesome job on both my tattoo and my sister's tattoo! His lines, shading and coloring were all perfect and exactly what we had hoped for. I absolutely love my new tattoo!! He also took the time to answer our questions and draw out custom designs based on what we were looking for. He's super creative, made us feel very comfortable and is truly a talented artist. Awesome job and I will be back for sure for my future tattoos! read more

This review is both early and late. I made an appointment today to get a second tattoo by Daniel, and I got my first one about a year ago. The short of it: Daniel is amazingly talented, easy to work with, as very nice. I highly recommend him to anyone looking to get a tattoo in the Bay Area. The long of it: After having a TERRIBLE experience with my first tattoo when I was 18 it took me right years to finally get up the nerve to get the stupid thing covered. I research for a few years (not an exaggeration, I really mean years and I looked all over the US and Canada) to see where and by whom I wanted to get it done. I kept circling back to Daniel's work, and I'm SO glad I did!!! He made the process of the first one so easy and pleasant. When I met with him the first time last year I told him what I wanted (a sugar skull with marigolds and daisies), and what I needed covered. I think it took three sessions, because I'm wimpy and can only do about two hours at a time. You can't even tell the first one was there! So now, a year later, I'm still in LOVE with my art and I'm going in for more :D read more

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I've been thinking about getting my first tattoo for some time now and decided this holiday break would be the time to do it. I initially wanted to get inked at the shop where I got my first piercings from (just based on familiarity), but when he didn't call me back, I resorted back to Yelp. I found another shop near my home with a good amount of 5-star reviews, checked out their website and definitely kept it as one of my options but I decided to keep looking. I stumbled upon Daniel's page. He only had 14 reviews, but they were all 5-stars and I'm the type to give the under dogs a chance, finding undiscovered talents (which is how I found the place I got pierced) and it hasn't failed. Daniel is no exception, but I'll get to that a little later. I gave Daniel a call but had to leave a voicemail. Immediately after I hung up, he calls back. He told me that he's in Hawaii for vacation, which already caught my attention since I was born and raised there. So we tentatively set up an initial consultation for when he gets back. I asked where his shop was located and low and behold, it's Current Tattooing, the place I was already considering. Seemed like this was meant to be. His communication is top notch- The day before my consultation, he touched base to confirm our meeting. I also gave him a few pictures I found to give him an idea of what direction I wanted my tattoo go in. Then the day of our consultation, he notified me that he was running late as his car battery had died while he was away, but only pushed back our meeting 15 minutes. When I finally met him in person, he had great positive energy and was really personable. Because I had already given him the images, the consultation went smoothly. I told him what features I liked about each one and my gut feeling told me to just let him do his thing. His passion for his art and trade practically exudes from his pores. I gave him my idea and let him run with it. He gave me an estimate of how much the tattoo would cost and asked for $100 deposit to secure the appointment, which would be put towards the total cost. Our next meeting was a week, and all the while, we made no contact. I'd be lying if i said I wasn't nervous about what Daniel would come up with. After all, this WAS my first tattoo and I've seen all kinds of messed up tattoos and whatnot while binge watching Ink Masters on Netflix. And if you didn't already know, tattoos are kind of permanent. Scarred for life, literally... Despite this, I trusted my gut and had faith in what Daniel would produce. The day of my appointment, Daniel greeted me just as he did when we first met. He was very reassuring and said that he always sets up in stages rather than setting everything up at once. That way, you don't feel pressured to finish the tattoo in one sitting if your body isn't up for it. He was also great about explaining what he was doing as he was doing it. First step: Placement. Without my prompting, he had the stencil nicely lined up with my collarbone. Not sure if this is something that all tattoo artists should already know to do, but I appreciated it and it had me even more impressed. Next: Outlines. I hopped up on the table and braved myself for the worst pain I could imagine. For those of you who are blank canvasses, this is probably the worst part. Have had friends describe it as bad as being cut with a scalpel. For me, it wasn't nearly s bad. We all have a different tolerance for pain and it also depends on where your tattoo is. Regardless of your threshold, just remember to keep breathing. Be sure to stay still because you definitely don't want them janky lines. And remember that you can always stop. But it's up to you if you want to sport a partially outlined tattoo... Finally: Shading/Coloring. This part is more annoying than painful. Imagine someone constantly rubbing your sunburned skin. This process seemed to go by much faster than outlining. At the initial consultation, I wasn't sure if I wanted to do full color or classic black and gray. But since this was a piece that he drew up for me and had the vision, I gave Daniel full creative freedom over what the final product would look like. He went with black and grey with gold accents and white highlights. The end result spot on. Daniel somehow new what I wanted even before I knew what I wanted. Throughout the whole 3 hour session, Daniel kept asking how I was doing and was encouraging that I was doing a great job. He also likes to talk story, which helps distract you from the pain. Overall, the whole vibe in Current Tattooing is awesome. Extremely positive energy and a great sense of camaraderie between clients and artists. After Daniel was done doing his thing, even the owner came by to give him props on the work he'd done. Although I'd be confident and comfortable to have work done by any of the artists here, you can bet my loyalty remains with Daniel Dagones. read more

Daniel Dagones - Steampunk inspired sparrow. Original piece by the talented Daniel Dagones. - Tattoo Near Me

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Daniel is great it was short notice and he was able to fit me in, I sent his a couple ideas I had and he was able to draw up exactly what I wanted. everyone says the lines are really good on my tattoo. I love the shop, it so big and clean. my last tattoo was over 20 years ago. Daniel was worth the wait and I will be calling him again for my next one. read more

I just have to thank Daniel for taking the time to refer me to many of his colleagues during my desperate situation to get my arm tattooed. My dear friend has terminal cancer and I thought he would pass any hour/day. I promised him I'd get a hummingbird tattoo. When I woke up the next morning I thought why wait until after he passess. So I wanted to get it the same day and Daniel didn't have any openings but he sent out a message to his colleagues. People such as him have really touched my heart during this difficult time and I ended up getting my beautiful tattoo that very day. read more

I've gotten two tattoos from Daniel, and I'd not go to anyone else so long as he is in the area and still working..... I first found Daniel by lucky chance... I saw that Guru Tattoo had lots of good reviews so I walked in and was asked to look through their artists books to see if there was one style I like better than any others. Without knowing anything about Daniel, I picked his book as I really liked flower styles. He was working on another client so I came back later that afternoon to meet w/ him to go over my vision and placement. (I didn't at all mind coming back, as had I been the client on his table, I wouldn't want him stepping away to meet with someone else for a consult... when I'm on his table, I want it over as fast as possible!) I wanted a tattoo to honor my dad who'd passed away....He took down my ideas and took a piece of paper and sketched the area where I wanted it so he knew how big of a space he had to work within. I made an appt for 3-4 wks later (yes, he's that good, he books weeks out!)... This wasn't my first tattoo but it was the first that I let the artist take my ideas and run with them. When I showed up for my first appointment with him, I absolutely LOVED what he came up with. He hit the nail on the head with what I was envisioning. It took two sessions to finish my first tattoo with him. Each session was about 2.5-3hrs About a year later, I was ready for my next tattoo. I emailed him and made an appointment to go in and again talk about what I envisioned. He went through the same process again, taking a template of the area where I wanted my tattoo and took down my ideas. Three weeks later when I showed up for my first appointment, I was in love all over again! Daniel has an amazing ability to take his clients inputs and ideas and create mastery! My second tattoo took 3 sessions, all done at his newer shop, which is an awesome place to go. Although, the huge window by his table can make it quite warm with all the endorphins your body makes during the session. Daniel has a great way of telling stories and chatting up his clients while he's working on them. He's very personable and funny, all while maintaining total professionalism. He explains what he's doing and where you are in the overall process. I'd recommend Daniel to anyone interested in getting only the best tattoo! Worth every penny! read more

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when it comes to tattoos, Daniel clearly proved his experience. Being a first timer, i was overwhelmed with the possibilities of a tattoo sketch i had in mind. Daniel gave me so many alternatives and pitched many ideas, it was easy to expand on what I already wanted. Definitely going back for a bigger piece! Cool guy, quality and passion driven. read more

Daniel Dagones - Tattoo Near Me

I got a very simple, script tattoo from Daniel. Super quick, perfect lettering. Love oh.

I just got my second tattoo by Daniel a few days ago, the first was about 1 1/2 years ago by Daniel at at Guru. Daniel has a great demeanor for someone who works with people for a living as he is super friendly when it comes to talking about what you want and while he tattoos you which helps pass the time. I was very happy with my first tattoo, which was several hearts on my back, and the most recent one which was a fleur de lis on my hip. The detail is great and so far I have not had any issues with it healing. Both times he helped me with the design of the tattoo and placement, size, etc. which I have been very happy with. The new shop is convenient in downtown San Jose, is very clean and has a big window with a lot of light. As I mentioned, Daniel makes the experience very pleasant, checking in to make sure his client is comfortable and chatting to keep you distracted. Pricing seems comparable for other tattoos I got elsewhere. I will recommend him to anyone looking for a tattoo and will go back if I want to get more. read more

Daniel Dagones - My fleur de lis that I just got. It is not a great cell phone pic and still healing. - Tattoo Near Me

Daniel has tattooed me several times (6+) and will continue to be my go to artist so long as he is in this area. The machine he uses is gentler on the skin than previous artists I have gone too. He has great artistic vision and when I give him creative freedom he never disappoints. Over the past 4 years I have seen him grow as an artist yet remain extremely humble. His vibe is chill and always find that we have great light conversation during our sessions. More to follow. read more

I've had 5 visits with Daniel. The first was to consult on an Ironman tattoo idea I had. And then subsequent visits were to complete that work. Initially, I was going for just my IM tat, but then it evolved into a 3/4 sleeve. A few highlights from my times with Daniel (because there'll also be more in the near future): -clean environment - he always arrives early to get his area set-up and ready, organized and meticulous make for a safe tattooing experience! -extremely versatile with design and intuition - there is a fluidity to the creativity process and it's almost magical when he comes up with possibilities; it can be anxious and exciting, but in my experience, THE OUTCOME IS PERFECT! -easy-going but firm attitude - you want someone who won't just put crap on your body and will talk you out of a bad idea, like when lines you've envisioned flat simply won't work on the crux of an arm. So he'll tell you when crap is crap, and when something is bomb sauce. You want honesty with permanence. -succinct with communication, great company - effective communication is key to a great piece, and Daniel uses choice words with confidence, ain't nobody got time for chit chat. Very flexible demeanor and personality for the engineering type. Ideal if you're an introvert like me :) -sometimes his machines purred and it almost tickled - that's a first. But when we'd have to visit Elbow City, he'd give warnings and man, that seriously helps if you've been in the chair for 3 hours.. -each time I've gone, the next time I've look forward to coming back. Really glad my boyfriend introduced me to his work, and I'm proud to show off his work! read more

Daniel Dagones - Daniel did my Ironman 140.6 tattoo (and all the awesome work beneath it). His wave work is truly special. - Tattoo Near Me

Daniel is amazing! He has been working on my floral half sleeve since February and I could not be happier with his work. He has exceeded all of my expectations. He really knows how to capture someone's vision. He is also very entertaining during my sessions I never get board while he is tattooing me. I would(and have)recommend him to anyone looking for an artist. read more

Daniel Dagones - Tattoo Near Me

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After searching for a good tattoo artist, I've been lucky enough to have found Daniel about 4 years ago in San Jose. He's an extremely talented artist, very creative and also very professional. Impressed by his work, not just one friend, but three friends have also went to him for some tattoos. He never ceases to amaze me with his limitless talent and skills. Not to mention he's very down to earth and a really good person at heart. I HIGHLY recommend Daniel as an artist. He will always listen to what you are aiming for and never let you down. read more

When that time came for me to get my 3rd tattoo...I knew I wanted something different and fun! My love for Halloween had to be celebrated somehow and Daniel was more then happy to make my idea come into an amazing vision! He worked with my budget and spilt the session into two visits to make it easier on my college income. Daniel was funny, professional and great to talk to! He made me feel comfortable and did an excellent job on my tattoo!! Even when my mom came with me for my touch up, she got a kick out of her conversations with him! All in all, he is a great artist and person who goes out of his way to make sure you're satisfied and happy! read more

Daniel Dagones - Halloween tattoo! - Tattoo Near Me

I got a Firebird/ Phoenix add on behind a dragon and Daniel did a most fantasic job making the tails perfectely like i wanted and add lin more details and smokes to make it really awesome and better than i imagined, he is a great guy to talk with and he will take care of you on what you need to know also. just check out some of his work! you will see this is the artist that you want to do the artwork! read more

Dan is an incredible artist. I came with an idea, but he made it better. He has a keen eye for depth and dimension, and makes relevant suggestions that truly pull a piece of work together. I am most amazed at how well my tattoo is healing, and how good it feels on day 2 (I couldn't wait any longer to post my review). I have had a few tattoos before this one, and none of them have been in as good of shape, or caused less trauma to my skin. I would trust him with any design, and would want him to take initiative to bring his spirit and thoughtfulness into the creation. Thanks, Dan! read more

Daniel Dagones - The tools he uses cause less trauma to the skin, and feel less painful. Dan also gets a great result. - Tattoo Near Me

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I can't say enough about how great my experience tattooing with Daniel was - everything from the consultation to the actual appointment to the shop, timing, and final product. The consultation took literally 10 minutes because I had seen Daniel's work on 2 of my friends and knew that he knew what he was doing when it came to tattoos - and especially flowers. He designed a gorgeous piece with 2 peonies for a shoulder cap - and initially when I came in to see it, I was a little nervous about the size. We talked, he let me voice my concerns, and we tried on a stencil to see what it'd look like. Immediately after seeing it on, I fell in the love with the design and he got right to work. This tattoo took approximately 3 hours, but time flew by because Daniel worked quickly and warned me in areas that would feel especially "spicy" (painful). I appreciated that he made conversation, which kept my mind off the pain, and made every effort to adjust to how I was feeling. I wasn't sure I'd be able to sit through the full 3 hrs, so he offered some accommodations and a follow-up appointment, but in the end, everything got done. I love the design and can tell it's healing well. This is my 3rd tattoo and I'm incredibly pleased with the process, the professionalism, and the final product. Thanks Daniel - I'll be back! read more

I met Daniel a year ago when he gave my friend a sweet cat skull tattoo. She was a walk in, and I couldn't believe that he just busted it out like it was nothing. I made an appointment with him to get a pizza slice tattoo. I got in within a few weeks, he was super professional, and this pizza slice looks good enough to eat. Very realistic. I have recommended him to so many people now. He's basically tattooed everyone I know at this point. And if he hasn't, he will. Oh, he will. read more

Daniel Dagones - Pizza! Look at the melty cheese! - Tattoo Near Me

Daniel did a small sleeve for me, and I had some images that I wanted, but he really pulled it all together. Not only does he have tremendous skill as an artist (you can tell by his painting and sketch art, as well as the art techniques that he utilizes in the tattoo), but he has an incredible touch with the tattoo gun. He really understands how the body and skin work with the ink and needle, and he does a great job of doing tattoos that look amazing and heal really well. Mine didn't scab at all. A little flaking of the skin, and it was healed--not even a full week. Daniel is also the friendliest, most welcoming tattoo artist I have ever met. He seems to genuinely care about his clients and their tattoos. This shows in everything he does. He actually listens to you and will help you bring your ideas to life. I can't say enough good things about Daniel. I now recommend him to anyone I know who wants to get work done. Love you, Daniel. read more

Awsome experience daniel did an awsome job ony tattoo he is easy to work with and an amazing artist read more

Daniel Dagones - Tattoo Near Me

You know when you see a beautiful piece of art and want it on your body but don't know if anyone will be able to translate that into body art? Would they capture the feeling of the piece or would it be a "cut & paste" job? I followed Daniel for months on Instagram (@dagonestattoo) before I decided to take the plunge. IMO, his art work captures an essence that is special amongst artists. He exceeded the high (and perhaps unrealistic?) expectations of someone who's never been tattooed. The lines are beautiful, flowing, & precise and the colors pop & blend perfectly. The rose piece took two sessions and time flew by quickly because he's a personable & easy to talk to (I had it done April 2015). The dandelion piece (done Oct '15) was done on impulse but he still delivered and elegant piece of work. My friend got a large portrait piece on his back that looks AMAZEBALLS but I'll let him write that review. I suppose I should say something about hygiene because some people worry about that sort of thing: that shop is clean!! Daniel disinfected everything before and after, not to mention he used a bunch of plastic covers on the equipment and he changed gloves several times. Seriously, his work is amazing. Check him out. read more

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Amazing person and brilliant artist. This was my first tat and it was on my entire forearm. Daniel did such a fantastic job. Clean lines very good shading owlfection. All u OCD peeps will love him. I love his studio, ambiance, everything was just perfect. And again, Daniel really makes you feel at home and so comfortable. Great conversation and great work. Could not have asked for a better experience. If I could give his more than 5 stars I would. Feel confident that if you see Daniel you are assured a very good tattoo and great experience. read more

Daniel Dagones - Owlet on left forearm. Tattoo by Daniel Dagones - Tattoo Near Me

Daniel is a very talented imaginative artist. I wanted to add onto a preexisting tattoo without covering it up. He not only exceeded my expectations with his design and execution he was able to touch the old tattoo to make it look like one peice. His table side manner is fun and exciting so that several hours of inking goes by quit quickly. read more

Daniel Dagones - This is prior to the tribal being touched up. - Tattoo Near Me

I've seen Daniel for few tattos now. He's AMAZING!! I kept trying to get a tattoo since I was 18 but I never knew what to get and who to go with. After several months of researching shops in San Jose, I was able to find Guru Tatto. They had 5 star reviews all over,but my decision came when I kept reading review after review about people talking GREAT things about Daniel. So I decided to try him out, and let me tell you, HE DIDNT DISSAPOINT!!. If you want a great tattoo at a reasonable price, HE'S THE GUY TO GO TO, PERIOD! I'll be going to him soon to get more work done!! read more

I have known Daniel for years and he is not only a great person but he is a phenomenal artist and Tattoo Artist!!! He will take your idea and really bring it to life and exceed any and all of your expectations! If you are just looking for a small piece, first piece, large piece or looking for a new young and bright talented artist to add to your collection of tattoo's. Please go and see Daniel Dagones you will not be disappointed!!!!!! read more

I used to go to him. Great guy. Good color art. I recommend him to my local homeboys. I currently moved and found a kick was place in Nevada where I will now call home. But yes peep this fella out. He gets down. Cool to hangs with. read more

Getting a tattoo is a lifetime commitment! I actually found Daniel back when he was a guru tattoo, he took my vision and made it so much better! I couldn't be happier that he did my first tattoo and I would recommend him to anyone! read more

First off, let me start by saying that i had lost my faith in Tattoo artists in general after some bad experiences and seeing friends not so good work. Daniel completely restored my faith in Tattoo artists :) From the moment of our consultation he made me feel completely at ease. I gave him my references for my tattoo and brainstormed with him about exactly what i wanted. Once i came in for my tattoo he made sure i was comfortable and relaxed before he even started to put my stencil on knowing that i absolutely hate being tattooed. He explained every step that he did. We had awesome conversations while he tattooed me which helped keep me mellow and calm while he tattooed me. He also had some good mellow tunes playing. The tattoo was practically painless even though it was on my stomach/hip area. The colors that he used turned out very bright and his lines are extremely crisp,straight and clean. His coloring of the tattoo was very rich and the colors flowed together nicely. I couldn't be happier with the end result. It's everything we had discussed and more! IN OTHER WORDS PEOPLE, GO TO DANIEL!!!! HE'S AWESOME. Found my new permanent tattoo artist and i couldn't be more happier :) He's an awesome tattoo artist and he also paints and his art work is amazing! Not to mention that his prices are very reasonable and affordable. I have my next tattoo booked and scheduled and can't wait to get inked by him again!! read more

Daniel Dagones - Star Wars Rebel Alliance tattoo with mini red roses. Thanks Daniel! Turned out dope! - Tattoo Near Me

Have been seeing Daniel for years and he is the best around very patient and thoughtful of what I want. He is an artistic genius and if you want to tweak the drawing he is more than capable of incorporating what you want but honestly tell him what you want and he will show you more. read more

I have been to Daniel twice to get tattoos, first time to get snapdragon flowers with honey bees, the second time to get a yellow monarch butterfly, and each time was absolutely wonderful! He is great at listening to what exactly it is that you want, and he's even awesome enough to do art checks prior to the tattoo appointment. I love the fact that he is super patient and he's totally cool company while you're getting your tattoo. The most important thing I could say about Daniel is he is truly an amazing and talented artist, he made my tattoos look so soft and feminine and I get complimented on them almost daily (no joke) I have recommended Daniel to all of my friends and my boyfriend even got tattooed by him recently! This guy is awesome and is definitely my permanent artist that I will go to forever Overall I highly recommendgetting a tatto from Daniel Dagones!!!! read more

Daniel is one of the best tattoo artists in the world. He is so patient, helpful, and just all around awesome. He goes out of his way to make you comfortable. He will do his best to make sure that the placement and color match your body and skin tones, and offers great suggestions to make your ideas come to life. Worth every penny! You will love the work you get done from him. He has done 6 of my tattoos and they still look amazing! read more

Daniel is a freight train of artistic ability! Every canvas that he touches is extraordinary and the quality of his artwork and tattoos is excellent. Hands down the best artist I have ever had work by, and i have 30% of my body covered. He has a super delicate touch and is extremely quick. For all these reasons I have returned to him time after time. His progression since he started is astonishing and it gets better and better all the time...his dedication to his work makes him a true professional. So quit being a plain skin and visit him, HAHA. read more

I spent a year searching for a tattoo artist. I knew what I wanted (or at least I thought I did) and wanted to find an artist with specific skills to match my design. This is what brought me to Daniel. I went into the shop and looked through the books of several artists and Daniel's book was right in line with what I was looking for. In the process of consultation he gave me great ideas that enhanced what I was looking for. He suggested elements that I would have never thought of but instantly made total sense and really completed the piece. He was even able to incorporate an older tattoo into the new piece. We scheduled the first appt and he went to work. Daniel is easy going and great to work with. He is great to talk to (very important when you spend 10+ hours with someone while lying face down). I had three appointments with him in all and found him to very flexible with me when I had to move an appointment back by an hour to accommodate my kids hockey game. I must say that overall the experience was great and did amazing work. I highly recommend him. read more